Charleston drops first match

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Charleston's tennis team suffered its first loss of the 2003 season on Monday afternoon, losing 7-2 to Kentucky power Lone Oak.

The Bluejays won just two varsity singles matches, dropping the other four singles and all three doubles matches.

"I thought it was a good reality-check match," said Charleston coach Mitch Baker. "We didn't move our feet and made way too many unforced errors. We had a bad match. When you have a bad match against a good team, they're going to hand it to you. They just outplayed us in every aspect of the game."

In varsity doubles, Peterson and Kemp lost to Triece and Bailey 0-6, 4-6. Branum and Hess were beat by Robbins and Kulick 3-6, 1-6, then Hoppe and Garrard lost to Zhang and Owen 0-6, 0-6.

"Without a doubt, that was the worst doubles we've played in a couple of years," said Baker. "We had a lot of effort but just didn't play well."

Charleston (4-1) has another stiff test up today when Carbondale, Ill., comes to town.

"If we don't play well (against Carbondale) we're going to see the same outcome," said Baker. "They're just as good, if not better, than Lone Oak."

VARSITY GOLF

KENNETT -- Kennett defeated New Madrid County Central's golf team on Monday, 164-181.

For NMCC, Trey Edwards led the way with a 42. He was followed by Sam Coppage at 46, Chris White at 46 and Daniel Eddy at 47.

"The team is improving with each match," said NMCC coach Sherry Copeland. "Trey finally had a round that was more representative of his play. Edwards, Coppage, White and Eddy have the capabilities of being a good, solid nucleus and when you back them up with Krebs and Baldwin, I feel we should be a competitive team."

The Indians were led by low medalist Josh Wilcoxson with a 38. He was followed by teammates Chris Collins at 39, Will Pruett at 43 and Adam Parker at 44.

"Kennett turned in some good scores today," said Copeland. "It looks like they are going to be a pretty solid team this year. Kennett's course conditions were a little soggy due to the inclement weather from the weekend, but it was a great day weather-wise."